Means for mounting a dye-transfer matrix to a plate cylinder

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder in a dyetransfer apparatus, wherein the plate cylinder is provided with a cut away portion, and a cover member has a shape that is complementary with the shape of the cut away portion. A register pin is provided on the surface of the cut away portion for engaging one end of a matrix mounted thereon, and a fixture is provided for fixing the other end of the matrix to the surface of the cut away portion. A cylindrical member, mounted within the plate cylinder or the cover, is urged toward the surface of the cut away portion by spring means to tension the matrix when the cover member is fixed to the cut away portion of the plate cylinder.

[451 Nov. 20, 1973 ,MEANS FOR MOUNTING A DYE-TRANSFER MATRIX TO A PLATE CYLINDER [76] Inventors: Seiichi Taguchi; Sigeru Tezuka;

Takeshi Tomotsu; Eiichi Mizuki, all of Asaki, Japan [22] Filed: July 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 161,037

2,578,406 12/1951 Dutko 29/118 X 1,999,109 4/1935 Robinson 101/415.1

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 654,399 12/1937 Germany 101/415.]

Primary Examiner--C1yde 1. Coughenour AttorneyRichard C. Sughrue et a1.

57 ABSTRACT Apparatus for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder in a dye-transfer apparatus, wherein the plate cylinder is provided with a cut away portion, and a cover member has a shape that is complementary with the shape of the cut away portion. A register pin is provided on the surface of the cut away portion for engaging one end of a matrix mounted thereon, and a fixture is provided for fixing the other end of the matrix to the surface of the cut away portion. A cylindrical member, mounted within the plate cylinder or the cover, is urged toward the surface of the cut away portion by spring means to tension the matrix when the cover member is fixed to the cut away portion of the plate cylinder.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures MEANS FOR MOUNTING A DYE-TRANSFER MATRIX TO A PLATE CYLINDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a means for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder in an apparatus for carrying out a dye-transfer process.

As has been known in the art for a long time, the dyetransfer process is a process for duplicating a dye image on a material to be dye-transferred by dyeing a plate (so-called matrix) with an absorbing dye (dye solution) in an image pattern thereon, and then transferring the dye image on the matrix to a base (hereinafter referred to as material to be dye transferred) having a dyeable layer thereon by bringing the material to be transferred into contact with the matrix.

The matrix is generally used as one set consisting of three matrices having monocolor images corresponding to the elements of the three-strip separation images. There are two kinds of processes for preparing the matrix, namely, a dichromatic acid photohardening process and a tanning development process. The former is a process in which the absorbability of the matrix is varied by photohardening in a gelatin layer thereon, and the latter is a process in which the unhardened-part of the gelatin layer is washed away with warm water and the remaining gelatin relief is dyed with dye solution so that a dye image may be transferred to a material to be dye transferred. The former is a lithographic process and the latter is a relief printing-like process. Further, the former is suitable for obtaining a positive duplicate from a positive original since the amount of the light absorption of the dye is reduced in proportion to the magnitude of the light, and the latter is suitable for obtaining a positive duplicate from a negative original since the gelatin relief absorbing the dye is increased in its height in proportion to the magnitude of the light. However, the problem of negatives or positives is not a serious problem in the present invention, since the negative can be easily reversed to positive and vice versa through proper known processes.

One set of the matrices prepared as described above are used one-by-one to transfer the dye images to a material to be dye-transferred to form a multi-color image thereon. In this case, the monocolor dye images transferred to the material should all be in registration with each other so that a sharp multi-color image may be formed thereon when the material is transferred with the different monocolor images.

The dye-transfer process which has been put into practice consists of the following four minor processes: namely, (1) a matrix preparing process in which monocolor matrices are made from a color slide or color negative film, (2) a dyeing process in which the matrices are dyed, (3) a washing. process in which excessive dye solution is removed from the matrices, and (4) a transferring process in which the matrices are put into contact with the material to be dye-transferred to transfer the dye image from the matrices to the material to be dye-transferred. By repeating the three processes among the above four processes except for the matrix preparing process, a number of duplicates can be obtained. In the case where a number of duplicates are made, the dye-transfer process is economical compared with the color printing process in which a photographic paper is exposed and developed, one by one for every duplicate, since in the dye-transfer process the silver halide photosensitive material is only required to make the first three-strip reliefs and the rest of duplicates can be obtained only by the use of material to be dye-transferred having a mere gelatin layer. Further, the dye can be selected regardless of the harmful effect to the photosensitive material. Therefore, a vivid and endurable dye can be used. As a matter of fact, the brightness and fastness of the color obtained by the dye-transfer process is superior to that of photographic color printing.

As described above, the dye-transfer process is advantageous in economy, brightness and fastness in color. However, as is well known, the dye-transfer process is not yet widely used. The main reason for this is considered to be the great labor and time required thereby and unsuitableness for mass production.

Heretofore, the dye-transfer process has been conducted manually except in one case of using an automatic apparatus wherein an elongated strip of plastic matrix having accurately provided perforations in the longitudinal direction is fed together with an elongated strip of plastic material serving as a material to be dyetransferred so that the dye image on the matrix may be transferred to the material to be dye-transferred while the both are fed together in contact with each other. This type of automatic dye-transferring apparatus is used in the field of motion picture film. In the dyeing apparatus, the matrix and the material to be transferred are easily regulated to be in accurate registration with each other and easily fed together. Owing to such ease of regulation, an automatic apparatus can be embodied for such a matrix and material to be dye-transferred.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a means for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder in a dye-transfer apparatus in which a matrix and a material to be dyetransferred having no perforations are used and the material may be water absorbing paper, which is quite different from the above described automatic apparatus, In the apparatus in which the means of the present invention is employed, the material to be dye-transferred may be either plastic or paper expandable with increased water content.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a means for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder comprising a plate cylinder body member for mounting a matrix thereon having an axially cut away portion, a cover member mating with the cut away portion, a register pin for fixing one end of the matrix to the surface of the cut away portion, a fixture for fixing the other end of the matrix to the surface of the cut away portion, and a cylindrical member urged into engagement with the surface of the cut away portion by means of a spring for exerting tension on the matrix when the cover member is fixed to the cut away portion of the plate cylinder.

A means for mounting a plate on a plate cylinder in a rotary printing machine, which is somewhat similar to the means of the present invention, is different from the means in accordance with the present invention in the following ways:

1. In the conventional rotary printing machine, the plate cylinder is required to have a large cut away portion for operating the plate mounting means, since the claw and tension mechanism for fixing the plate on the plate cylinder are disposed within the plate cylinder;

2. In the conventional rotary printing machine, no cover mating with the cut away portion is required; and

3. In the rotary printing machine, the material used for the plate mounted on the plate cylinder is subject to permanent distortion.

Based on the above features of the mechanism or material employed in the conventional rotary printing machine, there will be such disadvantages as follows when the plate mounting means of the conventional rotary printing machine is applied to a dye-transfer machine:

1. The large size of the cut away portion of the plate cylinder limits the length of the plate. In the rotary printing machine, the contact between the plate and the paper to be printed is linear contact and that is enough for such printing. On the other hand, in the dye-transfer process, a certain period of time is required to transfer the dye image to the material to be transferred, and accordingly, the matrix is brought into area contact with the material to be transferred. The area efficiency of the matrix is reduced if a large portion of the surface of the plate cylinder is cut away. Further, the matrix for the dye-transfer is a gelatin relief and is low in mechanical friction, and accordingly, cannot be handled roughly when mounted on the plate cylinder. Accordingly, the plate is required to be mounted with care on the plate cylinder. Therefore, the plate cylinder used for the rotary printing machine having all the means for mounting the plate thereon within the cylinder is unsuitable for a plate cylinder for mounting a matrix in a dye-transfer apparatus in the sense of efficiency of changing matrices.

2. The dye solution used in the dye-transfer process is much less viscous in comparison with the conventional printing ink and is liable to stain the machine and material to be dye-transferred by invading into a small space or clearance of the machine. Therefore, a recessed portion on the surface of the plate cylinder should be prevented as far as possible. Also, a cover member should be provided on the cut away portion inevitably provided on the surface of the plate cylinder and the spacing between the cover and the plate cylinder body should be made as small as possible.

3. The base of the matrix used in the dye-transfer process is made of cellulose triacetate or polyethylene terephthalate which is difficult to distort by mere mechanical force. Therefore, it is impossible to mount the matrix by bending a portion thereof as done in the case of copper plate, zinc plate, aluminum plate, especially treated paper or the like used in conventional printing. If the matrix is forcibly bent, the matrix will be broken or distorted at the position where it is being bent. Therefore, if the matrix is to be bent, if it should be bent with a continuous circular arc of small curvature or at a slight angle.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a means for mounting a matrix for a dye-transfer process on the plate cylinder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder in which the plate cylinder has a small cut away portion and a large portion of the cylinder can be used to support the matrix.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder in which a cover is provided to prevent the ink from staining the machine and the material to be dye-transferred.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a means for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder in which the matrix can be mounted on the plate cylinder with a small distortion made therein or with a small amount of bending.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of the dyetransfer apparatus for obtaining a color image in which matrices are mounted on plate cylinders;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the plate cylinder showing an embodiment of the means for mounting the matrix in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plate cylinder shown in FIG. 2 with the cover thereof opened;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the plate cylinder showing another embodiment of the means for mounting the matrix in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the plate cylinder shown in FIG. 4 with the cover thereof separated therefrom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Now referring to the drawings, an example of a dyetransfer apparatus utilizing a means for mounting the matrix in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. This apparatus is for a tricolor process and has three units of the dye-transfer apparatus. The reference numerals l, 2 and 3 indicate plate cylinders for three colors respectively on which matrices for the respective colors are mounted in accordance with the means of the present invention. The reference numerals 4 and 5 indicate gears meshed with gears provided on the respective plate cylinders for making the plate cylinders rotate in synchronism with each other. The reference numeral 6 indicates a web of the material to be dye-transferred. The reference numerals 7, 8 and 9 indicate dye solution supplying portions for supplying dye to the matrix mounted on the plate cylinders I, 2 and 3; numerals 10, 11 and 12 indicate washing portions for removing excessive dye from the surface of the matrix; numerals l3, l4 and 15 indicate squeeze rollers for urging the material 6 to be dye-transferred into contact with the matrix; and numerals 16, I7 and 18 indicate guide rollers for guiding the material 6 to be dye-transferred to subsequent processes.

In this apparatus, matrices, comprising a flexible base provided with gelatin relief formed by tanning development or the like, are mounted on the plate cylinders l, 2 and 3 by the means as described hereinafter. The matrices are rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 together with the cylinders I, 2 and 3. Predetermined colors of dye solution are provided on the matrices at the dye solution supplying portions 7, 8 and 9 and the dye is absorbed in the matrix in the pattern of the image to be transferred. Excessive dye solution sticking to the surface of the matrix without being absorbed by the matrix is removed at the washing portions l0, l1 and 12. Then the material 6 to be dyetransferred is brought into contact with the surface of the matrix by the squeeze rollers 13, 14 and 15. This contact is an area contact made between the squeeze roller and the guide roller and lasts for a time long enough to complete the dye-transfer process. After the dye-transfer process is completed, the material 6 is separated from the matrix. On the monocolor image transferred on the material 6, the monocolor image of another color is transferred at the second plate 2 and further another color is transferred thereonto at the third plate cylinder 3. By one rotation of the respective plate cylinders, one dye image is transferred to the material 6. Thus, a multicolor image is repeatedly obtained by the rotation of the plate cylinders 1, 2 and 3.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the matrix mounting means in accordance with the present invention will be described.

In FIGS. 2 and. 3, the reference numeral 100 indicates a plate cylinder body member and numeral 110 indicates a cover member. On the surface of the cut away portion of the plate cylinder 100 is fixed a register pin 101 which functions to determine the position of the matrix 150 by engaging an end thereof. The cover member 110 is provided with a mechanism for holding the other end of the matrix 150. The reference numeral 111 indicates a register pin fixed on the surface of the cover member 110 facing the cut away surface of the cylinder for determining the position of the other end of the matrix. The reference numeral 112 indicates a cam shaft disposed to be able to be moved in the direction perpendicular to the cut away portion of the plate cylinder; numeral 113 indicates a spring for urging the cam shaft 112 to the surface of the cover member facing the cut away surface of the cylinder 100; the reference numeral 1 14 indicates a spring for urging the cam shaft 112 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2; numeral 115 indicates a cam or an eccentric ring mounted on the cam shaft 112; and numeral 116 indicates a screw for securing the cover member 110 to the plate cylinder 100.

Now, the manner in which the matrix 150 is mounted on the plate cylinder 100 and the cover 110 will be described. The plate cylinder 100 is rotatably provided in a dye-transfer apparatus. First, one end of the matrix 150 is engaged with the register pin 101 of the plate cylinder 100 and temporarily fixed to the cylinder with a piece of adhesive tape. This is for preventing the matrix from being disengaged from the surface of the cylinder by curling or the like before it is held on the cylinder by the use of the cover member. Then, the matrix is wound on the surface of the plate cylinder 100 by rotating the plate cylinder in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. After rotating the plate cylinder 100 until the other end of the matrix, the free end thereof, approaches the cut away portion of the cylinder, the cover member 110 is fixed to the end of the matrix 150. In this case, first, the free end of the matrix 150 is inserted between the cam or eccentric ring 115 and the cover member 100, and then, it is pinched between the cam or eccentric ring 1 l5 and the surface of the cover member by the force of the spring 113 when it abuts the register pin 11 1. Then, the cover member 119 is fitted to the cover receiving portion of the plate cylinder 100 and fixed thereto by means of fixing screw 116. The spring 114 keeps the matrix in tensioned condition at all times.

Thus, by the plate cylinder 100 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 used together with the cover member 110, the opposite ends of the matrix are engaged with the holding means thereon and a proper tension is provided in the matrix. And, owing to the cover member, dye solution is prevented from entering into the interior of the plate cylinder. Further, the cut away portion of the cylinder is small in accordance with this invention so that a large portion of the matrix may be used. There is no need to bend acutely the matrix, since there is no need to deeply insert the matrix into the plate cylinder.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown another embodiment of the present invention. Matrix 150 is engaged with and tensioned by the register pin 101 and the plate cylinder and cover 110. One end of the matrix 150 is engaged with the register pin 10] and the other end thereof is positioned by the register pin 103. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, another spring 102 is engaged with the end of the matrix. The reference numeral 125 indicates a roller movable in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the cut away portion of the plate cylinder 100. The reference numeral 123 indicates a spring for urging the roller 125 in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the cover member facing the surface of the cut away portion of the cylinder, and numeral 116 indicates a screw for securing the cover member 110 to the plate cylinder 100.

The matrix 150 is fixed to the plate cylinder 100 by the use of the cover member 110 in the manner described hereinafter. One end of the matrix is fixed to the cylinder first in the same manner as that described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The other end of the matrix is fixed to the cylinder as follows. The spring 102 for catching the end of the matrix is opened against its spring force to receive the matrix; the matrix is inserted between the spring and a part of the plate cylinder deeply without slack; and then the cover member 110 is closed thereon and secured to the plate cylinder by means of the fixing screw 116. The matrix is always maintained in a tensioned condition by means of the roller in the cover member. By this embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a similar effect can be obtained to that described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

What is claimed is:

1. An arrangement for mounting a matrix on a hollow plate cylinder in a dye-transfer apparatus, said arrangement comprising:

a plate cylinder having a surface plane formed by an axially cut away portion,

a cover member having a shape mating with the cut away portion of the plate cylinder,

at least one register pin provided on the surface plane of the cut away portion for engaging one end of a matrix mounted thereon,

a fixture for fixing the other end of the matrix to the surface of the cut away portion, and

a member urged toward the surface plane of said plate by spring means,

said fixture being on one lateral side of the member urged and on the same side of said member urged as said at least one register pin so that the member urged can be used for tensioning the matrix by con tact therewith when the cover member is fixed to the cut away portion of the plate cylinder.

2. An arrangement for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder as defined in claim 1 wherein said spring-urged member is a roller.

the vicinity of the surface of the cut away portion for catching the other end of the matrix.

6. An arrangement for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder as defined in claim 2 wherein said roller is mounted at both ends on the inner surface of the cover member for movement in a direction at right angles to the plane of cut of said plate cylinder. 

1. An arrangement for mounting a matrix on a hollow plate cylinder in a dye-transfer apparatus, said arrangement comprising: a plate cylinder having a surface plane formed by an axially cut away portion, a cover member having a shape mating with the cut away portion of the plate cylinder, at least one register pin provided on the surface plane of the cut away portion for engaging one end of a matrix mounted thereon, a fixture for fixing the other end of the matrix to the surface of the cut away portion, and a member urged toward the surface plane of said plate by spring means, said fixture being on one lateral side of the member urged and on the same side of said member urged as said at least one register pin so that the member urged can be used for tensioning the matrix by contact therewith when the cover member is fixed to the cut away portion of the plate cylinder.
 2. An arrangement for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder as defined in claim 1 wherein said spring-urged member is a roller.
 3. An arrangement for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder as defined in claim 2 wherein said roller is provided within the plate cylinder.
 4. An arrangement for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder as defined in claim 2 wherein said roller is disposed supported by said cover member.
 5. An arrangement for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder as defined in claim 4 further comprising a catching spring means disposed on the plate cylinder in the vicinity of the surface of the cut away portion for catching the other end of the matrix.
 6. An arrangement for mounting a matrix on a plate cylinder as defined in claim 2 wherein said roller is mounted at both ends on the inner surface of the cover member for movement in a direction at right angles to the plane of cut of said plate cylinder. 